Board of Directors, Committees & Elections

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee includes five members – the Board Chair (who automatically becomes the Committee Chair), the Board Vice-Chair, physiotherapists and members of the public.

The Executive Committee provides leadership to the Board, promotes governance excellence and facilitates the effective functioning of the College. In certain circumstances, the Executive Committee can act on behalf of the Board on matters that require immediate attention between Board meetings.

Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC)

The ICRC includes at least 10 members – both physiotherapists and members of the public.

The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) is the statutory Committee that reviews concerns about physiotherapists. These concerns come from the public (patients and families), other physiotherapists, other healthcare professionals or a facility. Concerns include formal complaints, mandatory reports or other information that prompts the Registrar & CEO to launch an inquiry.

The ICRC reviews information about the concerns and decides if any action should be taken, and if a physiotherapist committed an act of professional misconduct or is incompetent. Sometimes the committee may have to consider whether a physiotherapist’s health is affecting their ability to practice safely and competently.

The Committee can make several different decisions, all of which are outlined in the Health Professions Procedural Code, Schedule 2 of the Regulated Health Professions Act.

Discipline and Fitness to Practise Committee

This committee includes at least 10 members – physiotherapists and members of the public. A panel of no more than five members hears each case.

The Discipline Committee is the statutory Committee that holds public hearings to consider serious allegations about a physiotherapist’s practice. Cases are referred to the Discipline Committee by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC).

Discipline hearings are legal proceedings open to the public. In most cases, the results are available on the College’s website and the Public Register.

The Fitness to Practise Committee considers specific allegations about a physiotherapist’s capacity to practice. This means that a physiotherapist may be too sick to practice safely, and the public is at risk.

A health inquiry panel will obtain information and if a physiotherapist may be incapacitated (experiencing a physical or mental condition) the panel can refer the physiotherapist to the Fitness to Practise Committee for a hearing.

Fitness to Practise hearings are legal proceedings but are closed to the public because of the sensitive nature of the information.

Quality Assurance Committee

The Quality Assurance Committee includes at least five members – physiotherapists and members of the public.

The Quality Assurance Committee develops, implements and administers the Quality Assurance program to support physiotherapists in continually improving their skills and knowledge.

Registration Committee

The Registration Committee includes at least five members – both physiotherapists and members of the public.

Applications that may not meet registration requirements are referred to the Registration Committee to decide if the applicant should receive a certificate of registration. The Committee also monitors entry to practice at provincial, national and international levels and raises important issues to the Board.

Patient Relations Committee

The Patient Relations Committee includes at least three members – both physiotherapists and members of the public.

The Patient Relations Committee advises the Board on the patient relations program and administers the program to provide funding for therapy and counselling.

Risk, Audit and Finance Committee (Non-Statutory)

The Risk, Audit and Finance Committee includes at least five members – the Board Chair and Vice-Chair, physiotherapists and members of the public.

The Risk, Audit and Finance Committee provides financial oversight of the College. The committee meets with the auditors about the audit plan, reviews the quarterly and audited annual financial statements and the annual budget, assesses the performance of the external auditors and makes recommendations about finances to the Board.

Examinations Committee (Non-Statutory)

The Examinations Committee includes at least five members – both physiotherapists and members of the public.

The Examinations Committee develops, implements and administers the Ontario Clinical Exam program to support entry to practice in Ontario.

Elections

The College’s Board of Directors includes eight elected physiotherapists from regions across the province, two academic representatives selected by their peers and five to seven members of the public appointed by the Government of Ontario. Physiotherapists on the Board are nominated and elected by their peers to serve a three-year term. Annual elections are held on the third Wednesday in April.

Why Get Involved?

The election of Board Directors is an important part of self-regulation. Board Directors make decisions that affect how physiotherapy is practiced and regulated in Ontario, like approving entry-to-practice requirements, establishing standards of practice and conduct, and approving new programs. Board Directors must attend at least four, two-day Board meetings per year in Toronto. They also generally participate in the College’s committees and may also serve on task forces and working group, which can involve additional time and responsibilities.  

By participating in the elections, either by nominating a fellow physiotherapist, as a candidate or by voting, every physiotherapist has an opportunity to serve the public interest and help shape the future of the profession.  

Want to learn more about serving on the Board? Our online Board Election Module provides valuable information about the role, time commitment, responsibilities, and election process for Board Directors. The module is mandatory for all nominees but is also a great resource for anyone considering running for election.  

2025 Board Elections: Important Dates

January 15, 2025: Nominations Open

February 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.: Nominations close

• Deadline to accept a nomination 
• Deadline to submit the Values, Behaviours and Competency Assessment 
• Deadline to complete the online Board Election Module 
• Deadline to submit an optional Candidate Statement

March 10, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.: Candidacy Withdrawal Deadline

March 12, 2025: Voting Opens

April 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.: Voting Closes (Election Day)

If elected, new Board Directors will need to attend their first two-day Board meeting in June 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to run for election, you:

• Must live in a district that’s up for election and be nominated by one of your peers. Verify your district by checking your postal code to confirm your eligibility and the eligibility of your nominators.
• In the last 12 months, you cannot have been a director, officer, committee member, employee or have had a decision-making role with the Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA), the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) or similar organizations with a mandate or interests that conflict with the mandate of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
• Cannot have been found guilty of professional misconduct in the last six years.
• Must complete the following by the nomination deadline:
  • Accept the nomination.
  • The online Board Election Module to learn more about the role of the Board, Board Directors and self-regulation.
  • The Values, Behaviours and Competency Assessment. 

This list is not exhaustive. Please refer to the College By-laws for full eligibility requirements.

What You Need to Serve on the Board

Serving on the Board requires a commitment to the College’s mission of serving in the public interest. The Board Competency Profile outlines the values, attributes and skills valued in individual Board Directors and the Board as a whole.  

This profile is not meant to exclude candidates who may not meet all the criteria but to highlight areas where additional training can be provided. As part of the election process, you must complete the Values, Behaviours and Competency Assessment by the nomination’s deadline. The Assessment is based on the Competency Profile and ensures that incoming Board Directors possess the foundational behaviours, attributes and skills that all Board Directors need to effectively engage in the work of the Board. 

Interested in Running?

If you are interested in running for the Board, please follow these steps: 

1. Review the Eligibility Criteria. 

2. Accept a nomination from one of your peers eligible to vote in your district  

3. Complete the online Board Election Module by February 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. 

4. Complete the Values, Behaviours and Competency Assessment by February 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

5. Submit an optional candidate statement by February 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

6. Wait to receive written confirmation from the College that your nomination has been approved, at which time you can start your election campaign. 

Interested in Nominating Someone?

Nominations open in January and eligible voters receive a secure email from a third-party vendor. This email will take you through the steps to nominate a peer online. To nominate someone, you must be a physiotherapist eligible to vote in the same electoral district as the nominee. The physiotherapist nominated will receive an email with a link to accept or decline nomination. Please note, you cannot nominate yourself. As a courtesy, please contact the nominee before nominating them to ensure they intend on running in the election as the nominee must meet specific eligibility requirements and accept the substantial commitment required in the role of a Board Director.  

Voting

All registered physiotherapists eligible to vote in a district open for election will receive a secure email from a third-party vendor that allows them to vote one time in their electoral district. Voting opens in March and polls close in April. 

You are eligible to vote in the election as long as you: 

• Live in one of the districts up for election, or 

• If you reside outside of Ontario, your primary business address is located in one of the districts. 

All voting is conducted online. For security reasons, voters are encouraged to NOT forward the secure email to others as this link is unique to each specific voter.  

Code of Conduct

All Directors are expected to exhibit conduct that is ethical, civil and lawful, in a manner that is consistent with the nature of the responsibilities of the Board. If elected to the Board, you will be required to sign a Declaration of Office, affirming your commitment to abide by the Code of Conduct outlined in the By-laws, as well as a Confidentiality Undertaking.  

Additional Resources

2025 Electoral Districts Up For Election

One physiotherapist is elected to the Board for each Electoral District. For 2025 there are two Districts up for election and the College is seeking nominations from eligible physiotherapists. The term for each position is three years, from June 2025 to June 2028. 

The 2025 Districts up for election are as follows: 

• District 1 South Western: composed of the counties of Bruce, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth, and the municipality of Chatham-Kent. 

• District 2 Central Western: composed of the counties of Dufferin and Wellington, the regional municipalities of Niagara and Waterloo, and the municipalities of the City of Hamilton, Haldimand County, Norfolk County, the County of Brant, and the City of Brantford. 

Find Your Electoral District

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